2022 update: For links other outdoor party spots and links to local park pavilion rentals, check out our Guide to Outdoor Birthday Party Venues in Dallas.
When we chose our last few homes, there was one major consideration for us: Can we walk to a nearby park? Going to parks is one of my kids’ favorite activities in the Dallas area. When we were in Lakewood, we went to White Rock Lake parks. Now that we are in Richardson, we live right down the street from Mimosa Park and near to The Heights and Campbell Green parks.
We are also big fans of low-key events. Aside from letting your kids burn off excess energy, getting some good vitamin D from the sun, and socializing with other kids and moms, there is one more great use for a park: birthday parties! I learned this little secret from one of my mommy friends years before I ever had children myself. Think about all the benefits of hosting the party at a park:
- No need to keep the kids contained — they can run around all they want!
- No worries about whether your house is childproofed enough for kids of different ages.
- Parents of little guests can bring siblings of different ages, and everyone is still occupied.
- No cleanup of the 1st birthday “smash cake” — just let the crumbs fall onto the ground and nature will take care of it!
- No cleaning up your house afterward, either.
- Decorating is minimized: tablecloths on the picnic tables, balloons, a few streamers, and you’re done!
- Very cost effective — smaller parks charge no fee at all (it’s first come, first served for the pavilions at these parks, so arrive early!)
hosted one of your children’s birthday parties at a Dallas park? How did it go??
I always wanted to have my daughters birthday at park – for all of the reasons you mentioned above – but her birthday is in July. So this year, we did Pajamas in the Park for her 5th birthday at Scottish Rite playground. We hosted the party from 9-10:30 am when it was still somewhat tolerable. We had donuts instead of cake. I had craft activities for the kids and lots of food – but no one touched it -b/c there’s an amazing playground there. Lesson learned! Oh – and Scottish Rite has a covered gazebo with fans that you can reserve at no cost! They considered this part of giving back to the community. You can bet we’ll be hosting our twin girls birthday party there one year too!
Scribble Cakes – DFW Cake Decorating Parties has performed cake decorating birthday, showers and wedding receptions parties at various parks. Of course they have been early spring or fall parties. I can’t imagine people trying to decorate their own cake at the park now. We would be have icing cream instead of ice cream!
One suggestion: Have a back up plan in case the weather doesn’t hold up for you. Be sure to plan it ahead of time and include it on the invitations or at least a mention of “Call me before you head out if the forecast is rain” or something to that affect.
Have some SWEET Parties!!